Sudan’s ongoing civil war has devastated the nation, displacing 12 million people and resulting in a widespread humanitarian crisis. As in Libya in 2019, foreign powers, including Turkey, have intervened in Sudan to support their local allies with weapons and mercenaries, thereby prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the destruction.
As Sudan teeters on the brink of a prolonged civil war, Turkey’s involvement in Sudan underscores its ambition to expand its influence in East Africa and the Red Sea region. Initially, Turkey sought to mediate between Sudan’s warring factions. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s early overtures to both General Burhan and the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti), signaled a willingness to foster dialogue.
Nonetheless, General Burhan has later secured the backing of the Turkish government. Following the outbreak of the war in April 2023, President Erdoğan received General al-Burhan at his palace in Ankara in September 2023, and the two held a closed-door meeting in New York one year later in 2024. After the second meeting, Erdoğan remarked, “Türkiye’s relations with Sudan are developing with each passing day, and the solidarity between the two countries will continue to grow stronger.”
Transfer of Weapons to Sudan
An Amnesty International report highlighted the extensive importation of weapons and military equipment into Sudan from countries such as Russia, China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Turkish companies, among the main suppliers of arms to Sudan, have exported assault rifles, various types of shotguns, and ammunition to the conflict zone.
More significantly, Turkey has supplied Bayraktar TB2 drones to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Within the context of the Turkey-Egypt rapprochement, the initial batch of TB2 drones appears to have been delivered via the Egyptian army, which also supports the SAF. Sudanese personnel trained in Egypt now operate these drones, effectively countering the UAE-backed RSF forces. In the absence of modern electronic warfare capabilities, the TB2s are potentially a game-changer, providing the SAF with a critical edge in air capabilities. These drones enable the elimination of enemy armored vehicles and artillery deep behind enemy lines while also offering vital intelligence.
The war in Sudan has persisted for nearly two years with no end in sight, but the balance of power has begun to shift in favor of SAF led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The SAF has recently made gains against the UAE-backed RSF, including the recapture of the city of Wad Madani. Turkish Ambassador to Sudan, Fatih Yıldız, shared on social media his participation in celebrations marking the SAF’s victory, signaling Ankara’s clear alignment with General Burhan’s forces.
Mediation Efforts
On the diplomatic front, President Erdoğan offered to mediate tensions between the SAF and the UAE in December 2024, following the unexpected defeat of Bashar al-Assad’s forces by Turkey-backed armed groups in Syria. Both General Burhan and the UAE expressed openness to Erdoğan’s initiative. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “The UAE is fully prepared to cooperate and coordinate with Turkish efforts and all diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict in Sudan and find a comprehensive solution to the crisis.”
Turkey’s recent diplomatic initiatives, including its efforts to mediate between Ethiopia and Somalia, highlight its growing capability in conflict resolution in East Africa. An understanding between the leaders of the SAF and the UAE in Ankara-mediated talks could bring the civil war in Sudan to a swift conclusion.
Meanwhile, the United States imposed sanctions on January 7, against RSF leader Hemedti for his role in crimes committed against the Sudanese people. It has also accused the RSF of committing genocide. In an effort to appear neutral in the conflict, the US imposed sanctions against General Burhan on January 16 as well.
Turkey’s involvement in Sudan aligns with Ankara’s broader regional strategy, as demonstrated by its interventions in Libya, Ethiopia and Syria. In 2019, Turkey’s military intervention on behalf of Libya’s Tripoli-based government successfully halted Khalifa Haftar’s offensive. Similarly, Turkey’s armed drone sales to Ethiopia during its conflict with Tigrayan rebels enabled Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to regain control. Turkey's recent success in overthrowing a well-entrenched government in Syria has further bolstered its assertiveness.
By siding with one of the warring parties in the conflict, the Turkish government might be thinking of seizing the moment as realpolitik increasingly becomes the norm in the current geopolitical landscape. However, by supplying military aid in a conflict where no humanitarian law or principles are respected, Turkey risks exacerbating the suffering of civilians, dramatically increasing casualties, and further deteriorating regional stability.
* This photo by Unknown Author is licensed under Deed -Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - Creative Commons.
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